STARLANDS ST.ANNES U.14 GI 1 vs 2 WITHYMOOR COLTS

STARLANDS entertained Wythmoor for the first time at Aldridge.

Starlands were looking for the double - having won 2-1 with 9 players at their ground.

There was the usual last minute cry offs - with people having all week to let me know - and then texting saturday morning as I am setting up the pitch....oh well.

We were much the stronger team for the first half - and dominated possession without actually threatewning their goal.

Ellie was making some strong runs up the right flank - and with her dad running the line - never seemed to venture off side ;)

The defence was looking strong - and had the Colts attackers wrapped up.

The corners were had worked on at training were not quite coming off - and the girls have got to start using some COMMON SENSE and make decisions on the field.

eg. NO SHORT CORNER IF THERE IS A DEFENDER STOOD NEXT TO YOU!

Anyway - Ellie was shoved in the back from a throw in by the left back - not for  the first time ....PENALTY ! Olivia smashed it into the roof of the net 1-0 and so the first half finished.

The 2nd half - started and Wythmoor were looking stronger. Starlands were looking tired...and missing those first time challenges, Stacey was ever so unlucky to have accidentally handled - giving a penalty away to make it 1-1. Starlands heads looked like dropping....

Starlands started to lose their shape - Kiera replaced Chloe for a period due to her being ill at the start of the week - and in true Kiera style, she went a wandering ( bless her) leaving  the winger alone in the box, she duly tucked the ball away for a 2-1 lead....and Laurice took a kick in the head.

Kiera was replaced by Chloe when it nearly happened again !... But, when she was put back into midfield - it isn't so costly ! Think a few of the girls were late to bed last night.

Hannah was immense - up and down, and really grafting....regardless of her wearing SIZE 8 BOOTS and only being a size  5 !!!  what is it with these CONOD girls!???

Hafsah was playing well up front , Olivia was her usual bustling self, but could not get free to get off a shot.

Georgia looked reluctant to shoot today - she did the hard work of turning her defender or breaking free - but seemed reluctant to shoot.

With 10 minutes to go - Starlands stepped up the effort - and a couple of corners nearly paid off....one going agonisingly across the goal line. The other an edge of the box shot from Amber going wide.

A spirited fight back - and to be fair, the Wythmoor linesman was using his flag to good effect...It'll be worn out at this rate. One, Amber was very unlucky to get caught for - but to be fair had still got alot of work to do.

And so the game finished 2-1 , Wythmoore had got revenge and more importantly their first win....you could see what it meant to them - and with us having been in that same position, I was quite pleased for them. 

Let's just think of it as a Starlands Christmas present :)   Seriously though - for most of the second half they were the stronger team...we switched off untill the last 10...and then it was too late....

Chloe was GIRL OF THE GAME - for her recent assured displays. Well done to everyone. Enjoy CHRISTMAS ! and the break.